| Rancho Seco Howard
Ranch Trail
2008 Schedule
Come join us for Vernal Pool Walks at the Rancho
Seco Howard Ranch Trail led by trained naturalists from the
Cosumnes River Preserve! Walks will begin at 9am and be
held on the following dates:
Saturday, March 22nd
Saturday, April 5th
Saturday, April 19th
Saturday, May 3rd
The 7-mile Rancho Seco Howard Ranch Trail is a
hiker's paradise! The trail begins by winding around the north end
of Rancho Seco Lake along willow scrub and riparian marsh habitat.
As the trail leaves the waters edge, it travels up onto a flat
terrace supporting a mosaic of vernal pools and grassland habitat.
This terrace also offers dramatic views of extensive blue oak
woodlands in the foothills and the far-off peaks of the Sierra
Nevada mountain range.
When filled with water, vernal pools are crucial
to the short life cycle of federally listed threatened and
endangered species, such as the California Tiger Salamander, fairy
shrimp, tadpole shrimp, and Western spadefoot toad. In the spring,
masses of flowering plants carpet the basins of these pools
creating a sight not to be missed.
Vernal Pool walks will be led on Saturdays from
mid-March through early May on the following dates 3/22, 4/5, 4/19
and 5/3. Participants will meet at the trailhead at 9am. Be sure
to mark your calendars so you don't miss out! The trailhead is
located at the North Dam parking lot in Rancho Seco Recreation
Area off Highway 104.
For more information call (916) 684-2816 or visit http://www.cosumnes.org/.
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